Judge Lance Ito of O.J. Simpson trial fame, presided over a mock trial in West Covina on Thursday in the case of The People of Monte Vista Elementary v. Goldilocks. The blonde-haired defendant faced five charges including burglary, unauthorized credit card use, vandalism and theft of porridge, reports the Whittier Daily News. more ›

Students in LAUSD schools in Highland Park are already under a lot of pressure to do well, from test scores to less-than-ideal classroom environments. But the neighborhood is experiencing an increase in gang-related violence, mostly via gunfire, and that is making getting an education even harder, explains the LA Times' Steve Lopez. more ›